A trail is a scar on the landscape, albeit a minor one. Where there is a trail, you should use it - not wander away from it.

Taking home your trash is one of the easiest ways to show respect for the land upon which you tread.

Sitting around a campfire on a cold evening is, for many people, the ideal way to end a day in the wilderness.

Starting a fire in the rain can be a challenge, but it can be done with a little persistance.

Animals will do anything to get to your food or to get into a place that smells like food or human scents.

You're finally ready for bed, after hiking hard all day and cooking and cleaning up from dinner.

Planning for water is crucial in deserts, because neither natural nor man-made sources are 100% reliable: Springs can dry up.

Water. From beginning to end, from one moment to the next, water is the most important factor in a hike through arid country.

Desert plants and animals eke out a precarious existence in dry climes. If you're going to hike in their habitat, here are a few things you can do to minimize your impact.

One way to deal with huge distances between water sources is to plan to dry-camp.

You may find that your appetite decreases in really hot weather. Food planning for desert travel incorporates both preference and practical elements.

A day hike requires minimal equipment and can be as simple as choosing a hike and hitting the trail.

Proper disposal of human waste is important to avoid pollution of water sources, avoid the negative implications of someone else finding it, minimize the possibility of spreading disease, and maximize the rate of decomposition.

The rules of bathing change once you leave civilization and enter the wilderness.

Winter campers face hazards that spring primarily from the cold temperatures in which they hike and camp.